About
Protequus® is a biomedical engineering firm based in Austin, Texas, focused exclusively on equine health and safety. Their flagship product, the NIGHTWATCH® smart halter™, is a patented wearable device for horses that combines lightweight hardware (~2.1 oz) with advanced AI and machine learning to deliver continuous, real-time health monitoring. The halter tracks key biometrics including heart rate and respiration, as well as behavioral data like activity level, and calculates a proprietary Equine Distress Index® (EDI®) score for each animal. When distress is detected—whether from colic, foaling complications, injury, or other causes—NIGHTWATCH® sends immediate alerts via text, phone call, and email so caretakers can intervene quickly. The system operates over 3G cellular and 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi networks and includes GPS/geolocation for field use. All data is accessible on demand through a companion mobile app available for both iOS and Android. Over time, the AI engine learns each horse's individual baselines for maximum precision, reducing false alarms and improving detection accuracy. NIGHTWATCH® is particularly valuable for performance horses, pregnant mares, and high-risk animals that require vigilant monitoring. The system complies with FCC Class B, Industry Canada (IC), and PTCRB/CTIA certification standards, ensuring safe and reliable operation in home, field, and clinical environments.
Key Features
- Real-Time Biometric Monitoring: Continuously tracks heart rate, respiration, and activity levels to provide an up-to-the-moment picture of your horse's physical condition.
- Equine Distress Index® (EDI®): A proprietary AI-generated score that quantifies your horse's distress level, giving caretakers an objective metric for health assessment.
- Instant Multi-Channel Alerts: Sends immediate notifications via text message, phone call, and email the moment distress is detected, enabling rapid intervention.
- AI/ML Adaptive Learning: The system learns each horse's individual behavioral and biometric baselines over time, continuously improving detection precision and reducing false alarms.
- GPS/Geolocation & Wireless Connectivity: Supports 3G cellular and 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi networks with built-in GPS so horses can be monitored both on the property and in the field.
Use Cases
- Overnight monitoring of stabled horses to detect colic or distress episodes without requiring manual barn checks.
- Tracking vital signs and activity of pregnant mares approaching foaling to enable timely caretaker presence during delivery.
- Continuous health monitoring of high-performance racehorses and show horses to catch early signs of overexertion or injury.
- Remote surveillance of horses kept in pastures or fields where direct observation is not always possible.
- Veterinary and clinical use for objective, data-driven health assessments and post-procedure recovery monitoring.
Pros
- 24/7 Automated Oversight: Eliminates the need for overnight manual checks by providing continuous, automated monitoring and instant distress alerts.
- Personalized AI Learning: Adapts to each horse's unique baselines over time, improving accuracy and making alerts highly relevant to the individual animal.
- Multi-Network Connectivity: Works over both cellular and Wi-Fi networks with GPS support, making it practical for stables, farms, and open fields alike.
- Patented & Certified Hardware: Holds multiple international patents and meets FCC, IC, and PTCRB/CTIA compliance standards, ensuring reliability and safety.
Cons
- Hardware Cost: As a specialized wearable device with subscription-based connectivity, the total cost of ownership may be significant for casual horse owners.
- Cellular Coverage Dependency: Full functionality in remote areas depends on 3G cellular availability, which may be limited in rural or underdeveloped regions.
- Niche Use Case: Designed exclusively for horses, limiting its applicability for owners or facilities that care for a broader range of animals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NIGHTWATCH® smart halter™?
The NIGHTWATCH® smart halter™ is a wearable equine health monitor built into a lightweight leather breakaway halter. It tracks a horse's biometrics (heart rate, respiration) and behavior (activity level) in real time, using AI to detect distress and alert caretakers via text, call, or email.
What types of distress can NIGHTWATCH® detect?
The system is designed to detect common equine distress events including colic, foaling complications, being cast, and general behavioral anomalies caused by injury, illness, fear, or trauma.
How do I receive alerts from NIGHTWATCH®?
Alerts are delivered via text message, phone call, and email as soon as distress is detected. All real-time and historical data, including the EDI® score, can also be accessed anytime through the companion mobile app on iOS or Android.
Does NIGHTWATCH® work without Wi-Fi?
Yes. NIGHTWATCH® supports both 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi and 3G cellular connectivity, along with GPS/geolocation, so it can function in stables, pastures, and remote field environments.
Who is NIGHTWATCH® designed for?
NIGHTWATCH® is designed for horse owners, trainers, breeders, and veterinarians—especially those managing performance horses, pregnant mares, or horses with known health risks who require vigilant, continuous monitoring.
